Clare Pearson
Little Wings CEO
Abstract:
Little Wings provides FREE air and ground transport for seriously ill children across regional and rural NSW and the ACT, providing ongoing, non-emergency access to healthcare… aiming to close the gap for those residing outside of major cities. After a decade of service, Little Wings can measure the impact of the service, the growing demand and outcomes for regional, rural and remote communities.
Moreover, in response the changing landscape of COVID, Little Wings pivoted to help ensure the most vulnerable of children received undisrupted access to healthcare during lockdowns and extensive periods of isolation and uncertainty. This was delivered in the form of MEDICAL WINGS, a program that was set about as a 12-month pilot and is today a permeant fixture in the Little Wings suite of services, ultimately, plugging major health gaps… it is not rocket science but a little fleet of Beechcraft baron aircraft with a lot of heart, determination and a team of volunteers flying on the daily. The MEDICAL WINGS program is delivering as many as 6 clinics per week and here we will share the learnings and insights.
This presentation will talk about how one conversation led to a practical change in service with outcomes that exceeded all expectations. Following a 2022 Social Impact Report, completed in partnership with Price Waterhouse Cooper, we will highlight the cost-saving practicalities, positive impacts on the ill child but also healthy siblings and family function, transforming health literacy in regional Australia and particularly with indigenous communities, demonstrating the networking, training and referral pathway improvement results that are slowly changing health care in regional and rural NSW.
This program is soon to be delivered in Queensland and we are looking to educate, highlight and connect with communities that will benefit and be inspired to join us in creating positive change.
Biography:
Clare has dedicated her career to the not-for-profit sector; fulfilling roles as CEO in the anti-human trafficking and disability industries. Clare is a qualified psychologist, specialising in child and adolescent welfare, and passionate about working in community-based projects aimed at making a difference in the lives of children and their families. Following her training, Clare worked in positions of senior leadership in both Australia and the United Kingdom, establishing new projects of purpose and developing, leading and inspiring teams in executing innovative programs in the areas of child protection, early intervention, disability and education.
More recently, Clare authored a book titled, Threads of Hope, with the goal of celebrating the lives of human trafficking survivors. Ultimately, shining a light on the devastating scars humans have battled, the survivor stories of triumph and the incredible work, passion and intervention offered by Australians in creating change, raising the voice of those unable. Clare is a strong believer in the power of people, whereby a united effort can affect meaningful and significant change on a local and global level.